Post by B on Nov 22, 2011 0:29:44 GMT -5

I dunno why, but I love watching this webcam (full screen).As I type it's pre-dawn night, and there are birds chirping, and a bit of fog.In spite of the traffic, which is surprisingly consistent 24/7, there's a magical feelto the place, and during the night hours, a benign tranquility.Of course everyone is driving inside out and backwards. The trees don't seem to be in any hurry to lose their leaves, and I'm a bit surprisedto hear the birds. Where do the British birds fly south to, if they even bother to?The people passing by are endlessly intriguing, and there are always tourists mimicking the famous walk. There should probably be a permanently parked white Volkswagonsomewhere, eh?

Post by on Nov 22, 2011 0:42:23 GMT -5

I dunno why, but I love watching this webcam (full screen).As I type it's pre-dawn night, and there are birds chirping, and a bit of fog.In spite of the traffic, which is surprisingly consistent 24/7, there's a magical feelto the place, and during the night hours, a benign tranquility.

Post by on Nov 28, 2011 9:23:39 GMT -5

The future Jewish Messiah is expected to be from the "Davidic line" (The Tree of Life), see Jewish eschatology. Many prayers in the Jewish prayer book, the Siddur make fervent mention for the restoration of King David's monarchy, and the long-awaited Messiah who is referred to as Mashiach ben David, "Messiah son of [King] David". Given the difficulty of identifying the Messianic figure, Jews also pray for the coming of the prophet Elijah to serve as the Messiah's herald and properly identify him.

Post by on Nov 28, 2011 9:39:37 GMT -5

In general, the validity of such claims — as of most claims to royal descent after a considerable passage of time — is difficult to check. But it may be said that Jewish society taking seriously a person's claim to Davidic descent is a testimonial to that person's standing and prestige in his own time.

Derash (דְּרַשׁ) — from Hebrew darash: "inquire" ("seek") — the comparative (midrashic) meaning, as given through similar occurrences.

Sod (סוֹד) (pronounced with a long O as in 'bone') — "secret" ("mystery") or the mystical meaning, as given through inspiration or revelation.

The Pardes system is often regarded as mystically linked to the word pardes (Hebrew פָּרְדֵּס), meaning orchard. "Pardes" is etymologically related to the English word "paradise"

It occurs only three times in the Tanakh, namely, in Song of Songs 4:13, Ecclesiastes 2:5, and Nehemiah 2:8. In the first of these passages it means "garden"; in the second and third, "park." In the apocalypses and in the Talmud the word is used of the Garden of Eden and its heavenly prototype.

From this usage, comes Christianity's denotation of Paradise as the abode of the blessed.

Post by on Nov 28, 2011 12:42:00 GMT -5

"People trying to escape slavery had many clues they could rely on to find out where "north" actually was. They knew moss usually grew on the north sides of trees. They also observed that migrating birds flew north in the summer.

What are some other ways escaping slaves could determine where “north” is?

One of the best clues they could use to find north was to locate the North Star. The North Star is also called Polaris. Unlike other stars, it never changes position. It always points to the north."

A Northern Song

When the great big river meets the little river,Follow the Drinking Gourd.For the old man is a-waiting to carry you to freedomIf you follow the Drinking Gourd.